Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Since long ago, qanāts and springs have been the main water resources in the foothills rural areas and heights margin of Iran. These water supplies are mostly fed by the underground waters of top and shallow layer. Regarding the continuous droughts during the recent years,theDebi ofthese water resources has been severely reduced. To feed qanāts and springs in watershed management, one of the practical strategies is to construct earth dams. This is aimed to feed qanāts through the penetration of runoffs and floods in watercourses. In some villages of Bakhazr County, Khorasan-e Razavi Province, earth dams have been constructed to feed qanāts and springs since 65 years ago. The main objective of this study is to see how these earth dams affect rural development including villagers’ satisfaction and the reduction of their migration motivation. Objective-wise, this study is an applied research. Yet, in nature and method, it is a descriptive-analytical research. This is carried out using document (library) research and filling out questionnaire (survey). Results show that constructing earth dam increases villagers’ income and employment.
Keywords: Bakhazr County, Earth Dam, Rural Development, Water Supply Management